[Long-term outcome of continence function after ileo-anal pouch reconstruction]. / Langzeitergebnisse der Kontinenzfunktion nach ileoanaler Pouch-Anlage.

An important aim of proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is to maintain anal continence. Anal sphincter disruption during IPAA is felt to play an important role in loss of continence, which is described in up to 30% of the treated patients in the early postoperative period. Although sphincter function recovers gradually after surgery, some patients stay incontinent. In our investigation of possible parameters involved in preservation of continence after this operative procedure, we focused on changes in anal manometry. We compared these findings with the functional results obtained by questioning the patients and physical examination. Anal manometry was performed with a low-compliance hydraulic perfusion system. All patients underwent a J-pouch procedure with a short rectal cuff for ileoanal reconstruction. We examined 25 patients, 13 underwent operation for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, 12 because of adenomatous polyposis. In the colitis and polyposis group, 28% of the patients reported events of soiling. Three patients (12%) were incontinent. The remaining 15 patients were completely continent. The median time after operation was 58 months, ranging from 12 to 96 months. Comparing the results of anal manometry with standard values of ten age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers, it was found that there was a significant increase in the threshold of balloon awareness and urge to defecate. These sensations were sometimes elicited by pouch contractions. Median pouch-compliance was also clearly elevated in comparison to rectal compliance (P < 0.005). Inhibitory reflexes during balloon inflation could not be evoked in any of the patients. Comparing continent with incontinent patients there were significant differences in balloon awareness, urge to defecate, and stool frequency (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). But in contrast to other publications, we could not find significant differences in anal sphincter length, resting and squeezing, anal canal pressure. Pouch compliance was lowered in incontinent patients and negatively correlated with stool frequency (P < 0.001, r = -0.82). In conclusion, our study indicates that anal sphincter resting pressure alone is not a crucial factor in continence preservation in the long-term after total proctocolectomy and IPAA. Poor pouch-compliance and concomitant higher stool frequencies seem to be related to incontinence in this patient group.

Prophylaxis of fungal infections with itraconazole in immunocompromised cancer patients.

During a period of 32 months (August 1986 until April 1989) 108 patients (74 women, 34 men; mean age 53 years) with neoplastic diseases (59 patients with solid tumors, 45 patients with lymphomas, two patients with acute leukaemias, one patient with chronic myelogenous leukaemia, one patient with aplastic anaemia) were studied in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University Erlangen-Nuremberg. Most were treated with a cytostatic chemotherapy. In order to prevent a mycotic infection in these immunocompromised patients, itraconazole, a new broad-spectrum antimycotic drug of the azole group, was given in an oral dosage of 100 mg day-1 (mean duration of prophylactic treatment 24 months). Localized Candida infections involving the oropharynx and the female genital organs were diagnosed in 16 patients (14.8%). Candida endophthalmitis occurred in one patient (0.9%). The serum concentration of Candida antibodies was significantly elevated in one patient (0.9%) without evidence of fungemia. Itraconazole had to be discontinued in four cases (3.7%) due to minor side effects of the drug (nausea, stomach complaints). Itraconazole appears to be a safe and effective antimycotic drug in long-term use in neutropenic patients.